Those allegations “run contrary…to her reputation, her character and her background,” said Smith, adding that Dufault is a single mother of two small children who has “an impeccable personal background and…an impeccable work record.”

“She has…a very good reputation in terms of the effectiveness of her teaching abilities,” Smith said. “She’s compassionate. She cares for her students.”

Smith offered that commentary today outside a Newark courtroom, where Dufault, 35, of Caldwell, pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child. She was arrested at her home on Wednesday night.

Wearing an orange prison jumpsuit with her hands cuffed behind her back, Dufault stood silently beside Smith as the attorney acknowledged receipt of the complaint and entered the not-guilty plea.

Municipal Court Judge Marilyn Williams ruled to continue Dufault’s bail at $500,000. The judge also ordered her to surrender her passport, stay off the high school’s premises, and to not have any contact with the victims.

“You’re not to have anyone contact them on your behalf,” Williams told Dufault.

Dufault remains in custody at the Essex County Correctional Facility.

Smith said after the hearing that he would be seeking a bail reduction in light of how Dufault has no prior criminal record and her extensive ties to the community.

The attorney also noted that Dufault did not flee when she learned the criminal charges were pending. “She stood by…to face the charges and to defend herself against them,” Smith said.

Dufault, who attended Caldwell College, is originally from Bloomfield, Smith said. Her family is now taking care of her two children, he said. Smith said Dufault has been suspended from her teaching job with pay.

Dufault has been working as a language arts teacher for about nine years at Columbia High School, prosecutors said. She previously taught at Hawthorne High School, Passaic Valley Regional High School, Ridgefield Park Jr/Sr High School and Bloomfield Middle School, according to Katherine Carter, spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

The alleged sexual assault occurred the 2013-2014 school year and during summer school in 2013 and 2014, authorities said. Authorities allege Dufault had oral sex and vaginal intercourse with the students on school property and in her car on multiple occasions.

In a statement, Elizabeth Daugherty, president of the school board for the South Orange-Maplewood School District, called the allegations against Dufault “deeply disturbing.”

“The allegations released by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office are deeply disturbing,” Daugherty said in the statement. “By law, administrators and Board of Education members are not permitted to publicly discuss personnel or individual student matters, or other issues requiring confidentiality. The Board and administration will continue to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations.

“I am impressed with the calm professionalism of the CHS and district administrative teams, especially new Principal, Elizabeth Aaron, as they maintain laser-sharp focus on teaching and learning and supporting all students during these very difficult days.”

Paula Bethea, president of the South Orange-Maplewood Education Association, which represents teachers in the districts, declined to comment. “We have a policy not to comment on a case where legal representation has been assigned,” Bethea said in an email.